How to Join Shark Tank (with Pictures)

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

Shark Tank is a hugely popular ABC reality show. If you have a great product or business and can picture yourself among the other entrepreneurs on the show, making a deal with the investors or jury sharks, you should consider auditioning for the show yourself. Here's what you need to know to be able to do this.

Steps

Part 1 of 5: Before Applying

Step 1. Get a patent

Even if your business has not yet taken off, you should apply for a temporary patent through the US Patent Office website. This will allow you to say that your invention is "patent pending" and will protect your right to it.

• The United States Patent Office can be accessed at:

  

• You can apply for a patent for any process, machine, artifact or product or for an improvement on any of the above, as long as it is new, not obvious and useful.
• The invention must also be adequately described or enabled and claimed by the inventor in clear and precise terms.

• If you want, contact an attorney before completing the administrative paperwork for the patent.

  

Step 2. Check your eligibility

As with any reality show, there are some eligibility requirements you need to meet before they can be considered. To be eligible:

• You must be over 18 years old.
• You must legally reside in the United States.
• Neither you nor a close relative or anyone living with you must have worked for or with any company, investor or affiliate group that has been connected to Shark Tank within the past two years.
• You must not be a candidate for any public office or hold one until a year has passed after the first airing of the last episode you participate in, should you be chosen.
• You must not have been convicted of a criminal offense.
• You must be willing to undergo a criminal background check.

Part 2 of 5: Submit an Electronic Application Form

Step 1. Wait for the auditions to open

You can technically submit a request at any time of the year, but you will have a better chance of being accepted into the show if you do so while a casting call is open.

• To find out if the show is open for future castings, check the website:

  

• If the "Click Here to Apply" button is visible and active, you should be free to submit your request.

  

Step 2. Read the terms of use

You will need to familiarize yourself with the terms and conditions set forth by ABC / The Walt Disney Company. You will also need to know the general terms of use to apply and to appear in Shark Tank.

• To review the ABC / The Walt Disney Company terms of use, click here:

  

• When applying for the show, you must:

  • Understand that your request is in no way covered by confidentiality.
  • Understand that the entities associated with the show are diversified companies that may already be in possession of similar information to your request.
  • Accept that any resemblance will not lead to any rights or claims.
  • Relieve the entities associated with the show from any liability related to the request you submitted via email, including non-delivery or an address error of the message itself.

  

  Step 3. Email the casting team

  His email is: [email protected]. For best results, structure the email like a business letter.

  

  Step 4. Provide information about yourself

  Your email should be short enough, but you should at least include your name, age, contact information, and a recent photograph.

  • Enter your full name and educational qualification.
  • Please indicate your age directly, instead of providing an approximation. In other words, don't just state, "I'm over 18 and therefore meet the eligibility requirements."
  • Your recent photo can be inserted as an attachment or within the body of the email.
  • Your contact information should include the telephone number you use for work, your fax number (if available) and your addresses (email, postal and business).

  

  Step 5. Enter information about your business, idea or product

  The last piece of information you should provide is a brief description of the product or business you want to present for the show. Please note, again, that this description is not covered by confidentiality.

  • Focus on presenting your dream, rather than the numbers. Of course facts and figures are important, but what really sells an idea to casting directors is your grit, determination and passion.
  • Consider including some general information about how you came up with your product or business, as well as a brief description of the business model or how you expect it to be.
  • Also mention any notable challenges you have faced, as well as any reason you can think of why your deal or idea has a good enough prominence for the reality show.

  Part 3 of 5: Go to a Live Casting Call

  

  Step 1. Check out the Shark Tank casting call schedule

  Casting calls are usually held in five different locations across the nation. You will need to check the schedule, posted on the show's official website, to determine which date and place are best for you. This program will provide an address, the time at which numbered wristbands will be distributed at each event, and a time for the start of interviews at each event.

  • The casting call program can be accessed at: //ww2.abc.go.com/site/casting-shark-tank?nord=1

    

  • In 2013, open casting calls were held in Georgia, Texas, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and California. However, note that these places change from year to year.

    

  

  Step 2. Download and fill out an official application form

  When you arrive to take your open audition, you will need to bring a completed official form with you. Upon your arrival, hand the form to the casting clerk.

  • The official application form can be downloaded online at:

    

  • Print the form and fill it out as accurately and completely as possible.

    

  • The form will ask you some basic questions about yourself and your business.
  • You will have to answer a number of typical interview questions, such as "Describe your greatest achievement" and "Describe your greatest disappointment".
  • You will also need to discuss the general aspects of your deal and how you plan to invest any earnings from a shark deal.

  

  Step 3. On audition day, show up early

  You should arrive as soon as the distribution of the bracelets begins, if not a little earlier.

  • Only the first 500 candidates are guaranteed to be received. So, the sooner you arrive, the better your chances are.

  • You will need to find the parking space on your own.

    

  • Before you enter the premises, your personal items may be checked by security.

  

  Step 4. Make a one-minute presentation speech

  When you are called for an interview, you have 60 seconds to present your idea to a casting agent. The talk should be about selling your "dream" and exposing your motivation. Don't just present your past success.

  • Depending on the nature of the audition and the effectiveness of your speech, you may immediately receive a welcome or reject response.
  • Alternatively, it is also possible that you will not be given an answer on the spot, and will instead have to wait to hear from the casting team at a future date.

  Part 4 of 5: Waiting for the Answer

  

  Step 1. Check your emails frequently

  Regardless of how your request went, you should receive a response within a few weeks to a month. You may be contacted by telephone, post, fax or e-mail.

  • You will need to keep all communication channels open throughout the casting process. There are two stages of interviews: the one following the initial question and another telephone interview. You will be contacted after each step.
  • If you are accepted, you will likely receive some form of written communication, as well as a telephone notification.

  • If you are rejected, you will probably only receive a written communication.

    

  

  Step 2. Wait for a telephone interview

  If you pass the first stage of inquiries and interviews, a casting agent will call you, using the phone number you provided, to talk in more detail about you and your business, product or idea.

  • Expect this call to arrive between several weeks and a couple of months after your initial request.

  • Be prepared to answer general questions about your business, the experiences that have shaped you, and the motivation that drives you currently.

    

  • You will also need to answer questions regarding the origin of your idea and the steps you have taken so far to make it a success.

  

  Step 3. Submit a second round of forms

  If you are contacted by the casting team with congratulations on making it to the semifinal, you will need to fill out a second set of releases and information forms before you can officially accept your nomination for the semifinal and prepare for the show.

  Often, this second stage of forms comes up a month or two after your phone interview has taken place

  Part 5 of 5: Prepare for Shark Tank

  

  Step 1. Read up on past episodes

  If you get accepted for the show, one of the best things you can do is watch past episodes and take notes.

  • Study successful entrepreneurs, to understand why their talks earned them a deal. Study even those who have not reached an agreement, to understand what was wrong with their speeches.

    

  • Look closely at the reactions and comments of each "shark". It will help you understand how they react to different ideas and approaches.

  

  Step 2. Seek professional advice

  You will be put in touch with one of the show's producers, but you should also seek advice from professionals you know and trust your experiences.

  • Watch live broadcasts and filmed rehearsals of presentations with your assigned producer. This producer will be able to offer you practical advice from the perspective of someone who has an intimate knowledge of the show.

  • Also seek advice from business associates, contacts, and others in your circle for additional opinions.

    

  

  Step 3. Practice, practice, practice

  After you've fine-tuned your speech, practice by rehearsing it as often as possible.